Patent application center refers to the institution or department responsible for accepting, examining and processing patent applications. In many countries and regions, patent application centers are usually managed by government agencies, such as the United States Patent and Trademark Office and China National Intellectual Property Administration, China.

The main duties of the patent application center include preliminary examination of patent applications, publication of patent applications, organization of patent examination and decision on whether to grant patents. The Patent Application Center is also responsible for maintaining the patent database, providing patent information inquiry service, and letting the public know about the existing patent technology. In some countries, patent application centers can also provide patent retrieval and patent testing services to help applicants evaluate and protect the value and feasibility of their innovations.